Start a Club
Thank you for your interest in starting a new club. You may submit a petition to start a club for the 2021-2022 academic year starting Monday, September 20, 2021.
Recognized student clubs enjoy benefits like:
- use of campus spaces
- the freedom to promote their club and events on campus
- and the opportunity to apply for ASI Club Funding (subject to availability and eligibility).
To start a club...
Step 1: Check for club availability.
Search the Organization Directory to make sure that no other club exists with a similar purpose.
Step 2: Recruit 5 members and an advisor.
- Find five currently enrolled Cal Poly students who would like to be a part of the club.
- Find a Cal Poly State University employee who would be willing to serve as the club's advisor.
Tip: Find the contact information for faculty and staff on your Cal Poly Portal, "Home" tab, "Simple Search."
Step 3: Complete and Submit the Petition and Bylaws
- Complete the Petition for University Recognition in Cal Poly Now. Please note that the Petition will only be available during the petition dates listed below.
- Complete the bylaws using the Cal Poly Club Bylaws Template. The Bylaws will be submitted as part of the Petition process.
Cal Poly will accept petitions and bylaw submissions during the following dates:
Petition Timeline 2021-2022
| Quarter | first day to submit | last day to submit |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Monday, September 20, 2021 | Friday, October 15, 2021 |
| Winter 2022 | Monday, January 3, 2022 | Friday, January 28, 2022 |
| Spring 2022 | Monday, March 28, 2022 | Friday, April 22, 2022 |
Petitions and bylaws must be submitted on or prior to the last day to submit for consideration during that quarter. Submission timelines allow the Clubs & Organizations Office to investigate petitions and bylaws prior to an evaluation by the Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Petition Committee on the last week of each quarter.
Register the Organization
If the committee determines your Petition for University Recognition and bylaws are in order, you will receive an email notification to have your President/Primary Contact register the organization through Cal Poly Now.
For additional step-by-step instructions on what is involved in starting a new Cal Poly club, see the Cal Poly RSO Handbook
Should Your Club be an Instructionally Related Activity (IRA)?
Does your prospective club have clearly defined learning outcomes? Could it have a strong connection to a college or department at Cal Poly? If so, take a look at the criteria for recognition as an Instructionally Related Activity (IRA).
For the average student, a club and an IRA may look similar, but for you as a potential leader of the organization, they would behave differently. Whereas a club can act independently, serving any number of interests, an IRA will work closely with a college or department, benefiting from support in the form of funds, facility use, and supplies. It's a good idea to explore both options before petitioning for recognition because a group cannot occupy dual status as a club and an IRA.
